The Local Organising Committee of the SAWMA 2025 invites scientists (researchers, students, lecturers), practitioners and policymakers to submit abstracts for the annual conference of the Southern African Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA). This year’s conference will be hosted in the beautiful Eastern Cape Province of South Africa at Mpekweni Beach Resort, Port Alfred from 31 August to 5 September 2025.
OVERVIEW
We have come a long way in wildlife management and the research that informs our management practices and current practices are a synergy of accumulated knowledge and technological innovation. This theme is focused on not forgetting the fundamentals, but also harnessing the emerging technologies to better support wildlife management and to look forward as to how we conserve and manage wildlife into the future.
PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE
Sunday, 31 August:
Arrival and Registration at Mpekweni Beach Resort from 15h00
Information sessions (15h00 – 17h30)
17h30: WELCOME FUNCTION (Oyster Bar – facing the lagoon area)
Monday, 1 September:
Welcome address/Keynote address
Presentations
LUNCH (Mpekweni Restaurant)
Presentations
Poster Session late afternoon
BUFFET DINNER (Mpekweni Restaurant)
Tuesday, 2 September (Management / Applied Science Day):
Keynote address
Presentations
LUNCH (Mpekweni Restaurant)
Presentations
Managers Workshop
TRADITIONAL SA BRAAI DINNER (Mpekweni Restaurant)
Student Quiz night!
Wednesday, 3 September:
Keynote address
Presentations
LUNCH (Mpekweni Restaurant)
Presentations
SAWMA AGM and election of council members
BUFFET DINNER (Mpekweni Restaurant)
Thursday, 4 September:
Keynote address
Presentations
LUNCH (Mpekweni Restaurant)
Presentations
GALA DINNER AND AWARDS FUNCTION (Mpekweni Restaurant)
Friday, 5 September:
BREAKFAST AND DEPARTURE
Excursion to Kariega Private Game Reserve
MEET OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Paulette Bloomer
Paulette Bloomer is a professor of Genetics in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria, where she established her research programme in 1999. A zoologist by training, she adopted the field of genetics since starting her master’s study at UP and has since enjoyed the intersection between the disciplines in understanding species and genetic diversity, and the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes in shaping species distributions and population dynamics. She has supervised/co-supervised more than 120 postgraduate students. She serves on two IUCN specialist groups, the Afrotheria Specialist Group and the Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG). As part of the activities of the African node of the CGSG, the team of collaborators are involved in translational research, to incorporate genetic diversity research into management policy and actions.
Peter Chadwick
Peter Chadwick is a conservation leader & strategic visionary with 38 years of experience developing large-scale protected areas and conservation landscapes across 25 African countries in both the marine and terrestrial environments. Currently, Peter is spearheading the creation of a connected million-hectare conservation corridor in the Eastern Cape, designed to ensure ecosystem functioning, biodiversity recovery, and endangered species protection and all in a manner that benefits the people of the Eastern Cape.
Core Expertise: Endangered species conservation • Conservation landscape connectivity • Protected area development • Wildlife crime prevention • Marine and terrestrial ecosystem management
ABSTRACT GUIDELINES
FORMAT AND SUBMISSION TYPES
Although the conference will be streamed live for participants who cannot attend the event in person, the first author or a co-author of the abstract should attend the conference in person.
- Full presentations: 15 minutes (12 min + 3 min questions)
- Speed presentations: 5 minutes
- Posters: A dedicated poster session will take place
ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS AND GUIDELINES
Abstracts must be submitted for full and speed presentations and posters. Abstract text (excluding title, authors, and affiliations) must not exceed 250 words. The abstract submission portal will open on 1 March 2025 and the submission deadline is 20 April 2025.
Efforts will be made to accommodate the author’s preference for a full presentation, a speed presentation or a poster; however, the scientific review committee will review each abstract carefully for its scientific merit (considering the scientific method, results and conclusions/application) and reserves the right to make the final decision. As such, authors are responsible for ensuring the correct grammar and overall quality of their abstracts. Students’ supervisors should approve their abstracts before submission.
If your abstract is accepted, you will be provided with further information on the operating system requirements for your presentation, instructions on loading your presentation, and more. Microsoft PowerPoint is strongly preferred for oral presentations.
REGISTRATION AND SUBMISSION PORTAL
Guidelines:
Create an account:
Please click the “Create an Account” button below to create an account, register and submit an abstract. Enter your details as completely as possible. Scroll down the list for all the registration products. You can add the registration product(s) immediately (or later under “my invoices” and “purchase items” once logged in). Please choose whichever registration fee level applies to you. If you are applying in March 2025, then Early Bird is most likely the right choice. You can also select your dinner options for accompanying partners/spouses here. Once you press “Continue to Account”, the system will either automatically offer you the option to create an Abstract (academic submission) or it will allow you to edit your personal details. You will also receive an email from root@securebackups.africa with your password. Save the password! When logged in (see log-in button below) you can change and update your details, by clicking MY DETAILS, (“Edit my details”), or SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT, and the MY INVOICES screen is to let you download your invoice for your funding institution, or, to pay it.
To submit an abstract:
Log into your account (See Log in button below), using your email address and password, choose “My abstract” and insert the information required. Please add the co-authors and their email addresses. You do not need to submit any additional files or documents, but you may add your PowerPoint presentation at a later stage. Please press “DONE”. It will then ask if you want to SUBMIT or SAVE. Save lets you save the work for further editing later. SUBMIT means to Submit for ACADEMIC REVIEW. If you decide you no longer wish to submit work, press WITHDRAW SUBMISSION.
GUIDELINES FOR THE PERFECT POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
REGISTRATION FEES
| Registration to attend the Full Conference (arrive 31 August and depart 5 September 2025) Includes: Admission to full scientific programme, Registration Pack, Lunches, teas and coffees for the duration of the conference, and all Dinners: Welcome reception on Sunday, 31 August 2025 Dinner on Monday, 1 September 2025 Traditional Braai Dinner on Tuesday, 2 September 2025 Dinner on Wednesday, 3 September 2025 Gala and Awards Dinner on Thursday, 4 September 2025 | |
| EARLY BIRD RATES (must be paid by the latest 15 June 2025) | |
| Early bird rates: SAWMA members | R6 000.00 |
| Early bird rates: SAWMA non-members | R7 000.00 |
| Early bird rates: Students | R3 800.00 |
| NORMAL REGISTRATION RATES (payment from 16 June 2025 to 20 August 2025) | |
| Normal rates: SAWMA members | R7 000.00 |
| Normal rates: SAWMA non-members | R8 200.00 |
| Normal rates: Students | R4 200.00 |
| DAILY REGISTRATION RATES | |
| Daily Registration Monday, 1 September 2025 (EXCLUDING DINNER) | R1 600.00 |
| Daily Registration Tuesday, 2 September 2025 (EXCLUDING DINNER) | R1 000.00 |
| (Tuesday has special rates for managers who wish to attend the day) | |
| Daily Registration Wednesday, 3 September 2025 (EXCLUDING DINNER) | R1 600.00 |
| Daily Registration Thursday, 4 September 2025 (EXCLUDING DINNER) | R1 600.00 |
| DINNERS (Only for accompanying partners and daily attendees): | |
| Dinner Welcome Function, Sunday 31 August 2025: | R500.00 |
| Dinner Monday, 1 September 2025 | R350.00 |
| Dinner Traditional Braai Function Tuesday, 2 September | R550.00 |
| Dinner Wednesday, 3 September 2025 | R350.00 |
| Dinner Gala and Awards evening Thursday, 4 September 2025 | R600.00 |
DEDICATED MANAGEMENT / APPLIED SCIENCE DAY
Initiated in 2022 a dedicated day for reserve managers and other “on the ground’ personnel has proved incredibly popular in our ongoing commitment to building relationships between land managers and scientists, reserve owners and universities, rangers and NGOs. We intend to continue this year with a day dedicated to management and applied science featuring topic specific presentations (within the conference themes) as well as an interactive session to discuss (and potentially resolve) a real-life challenge facing management on the ground.
PRE-CONFERENCE INFORMATION SESSIONS
pre-conference information sessions will take place on Sunday afternoon 31 August, before the welcome function. Keep this in mind when you make your travel plans and book your accommodation. See the programme for more information.
ACCOMMODATION
A block booking was made for the conference group at Mpekweni Beach Resort, but at date closer to the event, rooms not booked will be released to the public.
The accommodation options and prices at Mpekweni are as follows: (note that it includes breakfast)
SINGLE: One person per room with an ensuite bathroom = R1430.00 per room/night (bed and breakfast)
DOUBLE: Two people sharing a room with an ensuite bathroom (R1250 per person sharing per night) = R2500.00 per room/night (bed and breakfast)
TRIPLE (only available for students): Three students sharing a room with an ensuite bathroom (R950.00 per person sharing per night) = R2850.00 per room/night (bed and breakfast)
POST CONFERENCE FIELD TRIPS/ACTIVITIES
Post conference activities are to be confirmed.
Overview of the Sponsorship opportunities and benefits
| Description | Cost | Recognition |
| Platinum Conference Sponsor | R100 000-00 or more | Platinum Sponsor |
| Gold Conference Sponsor | R60 000-00 – R99 000-00 | Gold Sponsor |
| Silver Conference Sponsor | R30 000-00 – R59 000-00 | Silver Sponsor |
| Bronze Conference Sponsor | R10 000-00 – R29 000-00 | Bronze Sponsor |
| Copper Conference Sponsor | R1 000-00 – R9 000-00 | Copper Sponsor |
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
PLATINUM R100 000-00 or more
- Full conference registration for 1 person
- Five nights’ accommodation for 1 person at Mpekweni Beach Resort (bed & breakfast) during the conference
- A 15-minute presentation slot at a suitable time during the conference to promote your brand.
- Exhibition space
- Logo on website
- Logo in the book of abstracts (e-version)
- Inclusion in email communication to delegates
- Bag insert (company brochure)
- Intersession slide acknowledgement
- Logo on a Pull-up banner on the stage next to speakers during the conference
GOLD R60 000-00 to R99 000-00
- Full conference registration for up to 2 persons (accommodation excluded)
- A 10-minute presentation slot at a suitable time during the conference to promote your brand.
- Exhibition space
- Logo on website
- Logo in the book of abstracts (e-version)
- Inclusion in email communication to delegates
- Bag insert (company brochure)
- Intersession slide acknowledgement
- Logo on a Pull-up banner on the stage next to speakers during the conference
SILVER R30 000-00 – R59 000-00
- Full conference registration for 1 person (accommodation excluded)
- Exhibition space
- Logo on website
- Logo in the book of abstracts (e-version)
- Inclusion in email communication to delegates
- Bag insert (company brochure)
- Intersession slide acknowledgement
- Logo on a Pull-up banner on the stage next to speakers during the conference
BRONZE R10 000-00 – R29 000-00
- Exhibition space
- Logo on website
- Logo in the book of abstracts (e-version)
- Inclusion in email communication to delegates
- Bag insert (company brochure)
- Intersession slide acknowledgement
- Logo on a Pull-up banner on the stage next to speakers during the conference
COPPER R1 000 – R9 000
- Logo on website
- Logo in the book of abstracts (e-version)
- Inclusion in email communication to delegates
- Bag insert (company brochure)
- Intersession slide acknowledgement
- Logo on a Pull-up banner on the stage next to speakers during the conference
LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE
The local organising committee, headed by Craig Tambling of the University of Fort Hare, consists of the following members: Kanyisa Jama (University of Fort Hare), Declan Hofmeyr (Conservation Catalysts Africa), Nokubonga Mgqatsa (Rhodes University), Dean Peinke (Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency) and Chris Reynecke (Kariega Game Reserve).
Should you have further enquiries please contact:
Elma Marais (SAWMA): E-mail address: office@sawma.co.za
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Copper Sponsors
